Truth and Tolerance

Last night I took a group of Young Women to a high school play "Almost Maine".  One of my young women was in the play and had asked us to come see it.  It was several short plays with typically an actress and actor in each play which was about love.  I really enjoyed the first half of the play.  My young women was in the scene right before intermission, and she did a fabulous job.

The first play after intermission was about a homosexual relationship.  That wasn't manifested until about two-thirds through the scene, but once it was I was disappointed to the point that I got up and left, most of my young women followed me.  One young women said to me once we were in the lobby, "If you hadn't stood up I was going to stand up and leave by myself."  As we were standing outside in the lobby deciding what to do and if the others were going to follow, two of the young women suggested that I let the drama teacher know it was inappropriate.  The drama teacher was standing in the lobby, I expressed my disappointment.  She explained they had included it to help prevent bullying, she appreciated my comments, and asked if I would express them to the administration.

I didn't know how or what I would say, but I knew I would need the Lord's help.  I believe God's laws and I know he always supports us in obeying them (that doesn't mean it makes it easy, but it does mean I have to obey them).  I began with prayer and then pondered how I would approach this.  I looked up homosexuality on lds.org.  It gave why we believe it is wrong, and how we should treat others that choose to live that lifestyle.  It listed several scriptures about the immorality of it.  As I was reading this the thought came to me that whether the schools or society wants to admit it or not, our laws for this country were founded on the ten commandments, and not only that this country was created by God.  I pondered for a little longer, and then went to bed.

This morning as I went to wake Conner up, the spirit reminded me of a talk given at a CES fireside by Dalin H. Oaks called "Truth and Tolerence".  I looked it up and read it, and knew what I will say to the administration of the school.  There are two quotes that clearly and simply state my position. Elder Oaks said, "We must stand up for truth, even while we practice tolerance and respect for beliefs and ideas different from our own and for the people who hold them."   So when it is the correct time to stand for truth.  I believe Elder Oaks clearly states it when he stated, "...it is one thing to ignore serious sins when they are private; it is quite another thing to be asked to sponsor or impliedly endorse them,"    For me I was sponsoring and/or endorsing this behavior by paying and attending the play.

I believe I do have tolerance for people that choose to be homosexuals, who choose to live together before marriage, who choose to drink alcohol, or choose to live against God's commands.  We have friends and associates that live all of these lifestyles.  We have had them in our home, they are business partners, and we do things socially with them.  But that does not mean at sponsor or endorse any of their behavior, or deny the truths that exist.

After I talked to the Mr. Johnson at the school, one of my young women asked me to follow up with the district.  Which I did.  It was suggested that I write a letter requesting formal proof that the play had been approved, and stating my disapproval.  Although, this did not change this play I truly hope it will stop others from being produced